Elastic connecting device.



J. N. CUTLER.

ELASTIC CONNECTING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 6, 1911. 1,026,566,

Patented May 14, 1912.

IHUINI' uan [NVENT OR e/v gc JV. Czziler 4 COLUMBIA PMNOGRAPH :0WASHINGTON. n. c.

TED STATES P JERRY N. CUTLER, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

ELASTIC CONNECTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 6, 1911.

Patented May 1 1, 1912. Serial No. 637,154.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JERRY N. CUTLER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Ta coma, in the county ofPierce and State of Washington, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Elastic Connecting Devices, of which the following isaspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to connections and the object of the invention isto provide a connection which will be elastic so that the connection mayhave a limited amount of give.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the spring that itwill be securely held in position and to provide it with a brace whichlimits the amount it can be expanded and also to prevent the spring frombecoming caught in the clothing of the wearer.

In carrying out the objects of the invention generally stated above, itwill be understood of course, that the essential features thereof aresusceptible to changes in details and structural arrangements, onepreferred and practical embodiment of the invention being shown, in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view of a pair of suspenders provided with the improvedspring arrangement. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the frontsprings in the contracted position. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the rearspring. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the rear spring in thenormal position. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the rear springtaken along the line 55 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen thatthe improved suspenders comprise shoulder straps 10 and 11 which areconnected at their rear ends by means of the reinforcing piece 12 andsecured in place by means of the rivets 13. A piece of wire is passedthrough the lower portion of the reinforcing piece 12 and projects toeach side to form the arms 14 and 15 which are twisted together as shownat 16 and then spread apart as indicated by the numeral 17 and carriedparallel to .form the bars 18. A cup 19 is slidably mounted upon thebars 18 and a second cup 20 is also mounted upon the bars 18 and isprevented fromcoming off of the ends of the bars by forming the ends ofthe bars into the heads 21. A coil spring 22 is mounted upon the bars 18between the cups 19 and 20 and has its ends seated in the cups so thatthe cups will be normally held in spaced relation. A second wire 23 ismounted in the loop 24 which holds the attaching tab 25 and has its arms26 and 27 brought together and twisted as indicated at 28 and then bentapart and carried parallel to each other to form the bars 29 which passthrough openings formed in the cup 20 between the bars 18 and throughthe spring 22 to the cup 19, where they pass through openings and areprevented from being withdrawn by having their ends formed into theenlarged heads 30. A bracing-and protecting plate 31 surrounds thespring 22 and passes through the space between the cups 19 and 20 andthe ends of the bars 18 and 29. This plate not only prevents the springfrom being bent when the person wearing these suspenders leans over, butalso prevents the clothing being caught in the spring as the spring iscontracted. It will thus be seen that the plate performs the doublefunction of strengthening the spring and of protecting the wearer. Itshould also be noted that the plate is of such length that thespringcannot be expanded its full amount and therefore. the strain is taken upby the plate 31 and does not come upon the heads 21 and 30 of the bars18 and 29.

The springs 32 which are connected with the forward portion of each ofthe shoulder straps 10 and 11 are constructed in a similar manner to thespring in the rear portion of the suspenders and it is therefore, notnecessary to give a detail description of the springs. If desired theprotecting plate 31 may be left off of the springs 32 as these springsdo not receive as much strain as the rear springs. It should be notedhowever, that if it is desired the plate could be used with the springs32.

What I claim is A coupling of the class described comprising a pair ofsubstantially U-shaped members, the arms of one of said members beingpositioned bet-ween the arms of the In testimony whereof I hereuntoaflix my other of said members, cups mounted upon signature in presenceof two witnesses.

the arms of said members a spring positioned between said cups, and aband po- JERRY CUTLER sitioned between the arms of said members'Witnesses: and passing around said cups and partially G. H. CURRY,inclosing said spring. A. H. BASSETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C.

